Written Answers Nos. 293-309
293. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if persons with homes in Fingal, County Dublin, which have defective pyrite or mica blocks will be able to apply for an enhanced defective block remediation scheme; if he will provide further details on the way that the application process will proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56663/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
The purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the grant scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
The Act has currently designated 4 local authorities for inclusion in the Enhanced DCB Scheme, namely Clare, Donegal, Limerick City and County and Mayo County Councils.
Section 5 of the Act contains details on the process for the inclusion of additional local authority areas into the Enhanced DCB Grant Scheme, which, it should be noted, may include a request by a local authority to the Housing Agency, and whereby the Housing Agency thereafter carries out testing of dwellings.
Work on drafting the necessary Regulations to facilitate the commencement of the Act is ongoing and the Regulations will provide for all matters within the Act which are to be prescribed including but not limited to the grant rates, damage threshold, and the form and content of various reports, certificates, forms, and declarations.
My Department recently published a comprehensive and updated “Your Questions Answered” document on the Department’s website to ensure homeowners have the most up to date information available to them. It can be accessed at gov.ie/en/publication/775c0-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-your-questions-answered/
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme. The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material and not to damage arising in any other circumstance, e.g. such as pyrite in concrete blocks.
The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie. Dwellings must be located within the administrative areas of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Kildare, Meath, Offaly, Limerick City and County Council, South Dublin County Council, Westmeath County Council or Dublin City Council.
294. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the Government intends to support indigenous Irish businesses that are seeking to make the transition to carbon neutral operations and are investing heavily in renewable technologies, but are challenged in doing so by local and national stipulations on wind energy and solar energy locations in areas of perceived archaeological sensitivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56688/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Government is planning to take action by way of legislation to try and rebalance the decision-making process at An Bord Pleanála when applications for renewable technologies are submitted for decision in areas that have a perceived archaeological and geological significance, given the current energy inflation crisis, Ireland’s climate action targets and newfound pressures for businesses to become carbon-neutral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together.
I wish to explain at the outset that my role as Minister in relation to the planning system is primarily, to provide a policy and legislative framework under which the planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála (the Board) and the Office of the Planning Regulator (the OPR) perform their statutory planning functions. The legislative framework chiefly comprises the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended (the 2000 Act), and the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, as amended (the 2001 Regulations). My Department has also issued Planning guidelines (available on my Department’s website www.housing.gov.ie) under section 28 of the 2000 Act, which planning authorities and the Board are obliged to have regard to in the exercise of their planning functions.
The day-to-day operation of the planning system is, however, a matter for the planning authorities and for the Board in relation to planning appeals and Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID). Under the 2000 Act, the decision as to whether to grant permission on a planning application, with or without conditions, is a matter for the relevant planning authority or the Board.
In making decisions on a planning application, a planning authority, or the Board as appropriate, must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received from the public and the statutory consultees, and any relevant Ministerial or Government policies, such as the Climate Action Plan, as well as any guidelines issued by my Department such as the “Archaeology in the Planning Process” booklet.
Under the 2001 Regulations, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is prescribed as a statutory consultee where it appears that a development might affect, among other things, a monument or place recorded under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994 (No. 17 of 1994), a historic monument or archaeological area entered in the Register of Historic Monuments under section 5 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987 (No. 17 of 1987) and a national monument in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014.
This allows me to recommend that archaeological related conditions be attached to the granting of planning permission where appropriate, or to recommend refusal of planning permission to ensure protection of the archaeological heritage. While carrying out its role in the planning process, the National Monuments Service, on my behalf, makes every effort to ensure that developmental impacts on archaeological heritage are mitigated.
It is a matter for the relevant planning authority or the Board to make a decision on an application or appeal based on all the legislative criteria. Notwithstanding the current climate and energy situation, I have no plans to amend the relevant legislation or obligations with regard to archaeological heritage in the manner suggested at this time.
296. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria for a local authority to purchase a house in cases in which the house is for sale on the open market and is currently occupied by a person who is on the housing waiting list and who is not in receipt of other State supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56694/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) and, with this, to reduce the numbers of social homes delivered through acquisition programmes. However, acquisitions of second hand properties for social housing fall under a number of local authority and AHB acquisitions programmes.
On 19 January my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities advising that social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHB CALF acquisitions in 2022 would be focused on a number of priority areas, as follows:
- One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;
- Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and
- Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs.
Local authorities were also advised that limited acquisitions through the Capital Assistance Scheme will also be approved, subject to the available budget for specific vulnerable cohorts, such as housing for older people, accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless and for people with a disability.
On 20 April, a further circular letter issued to local authorities in relation to social housing acquisitions. The key purpose of this circular was to advise local authorities that I had reinstated the delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions which are:
i. in one of the priority categories set out in the January circular letter;
ii. in line with acquisition cost guidelines; and
iii. can be completed during 2022.
The reinstatement of delegated sanction will allow local authorities to respond more flexibility to secure acquisitions which support a household to exit or to prevent homelessness. I have requested local authorities to be proactive in acquiring properties which can prevent homelessness, including properties where a notice of termination has been issued to the tenant.
297. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which the necessary funding is being provided through the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, or otherwise in respect of infrastructural projects such as the alleviation of traffic or other issues for Maynooth, County Kildare; the full extent of the total amount of funding awarded; when the award was made; the progress to date in achieving the targets identified; the administrative or other work already completed or still awaiting completion; when it is likely that onsite works will begin given the absolute necessity for such measures as the eastern bypass route and other traffic alleviation matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56706/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is a scheme which funds the building of public infrastructure by local authorities. Its objective is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages to housing delivery. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand. LIHAF was designed to specifically address the issue of housing supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices. Infrastructure being funded under LIHAF includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.
In 2017, grant agreements for 30 approved projects were signed between my Department and local authorities. One such project is for works at Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Kildare County Council was approved grant funding for the construction of the Maynooth Eastern Relief Road (MERR) and a bridge crossing a railway and the Royal Canal. In 2017, the total approved grant funding for this project was €14.5m with €10.88m (75%) being funded by my Department and the remaining 25% being funded by Kildare County Council. To assist with design and construction cost inflation, Kildare County Council has been notified of additional Exchequer grant funding of €2.176m towards the cost of the works bringing the Exchequer LIHAF grant funding available to €13.076m (including VAT).
I am informed that developers are currently engaged in the planning process for the delivery of housing units on the LIHAF supported lands. Kildare County Council are liaising with a range of stakeholders, including my Department, to advance the MERR project, with these discussions currently ongoing.
298. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which the necessary funding is being provided through the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, or otherwise in respect of infrastructural projects such as the alleviation of traffic for Naas, County Kildare; the full extent of the total amount of funding awarded; when the award was made; the progress to date in achieving the targets identified; the administrative or other work already completed or still awaiting completion; when it is likely that onsite works will begin given the absolute necessity for measures such as the eastern bypass route and other traffic alleviation matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56707/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is a scheme which funds the building of public infrastructure by local authorities. Its objective is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages to housing delivery. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in urban areas of high demand. LIHAF was designed to specifically address the issue of housing supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices. Infrastructure being funded under LIHAF includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.
In 2017, grant agreements for 30 approved projects were signed between my Department and local authorities. To support the costs associated with its intended construction of a Naas Inner Relief Road, Kildare County Council was approved for exchequer grant funding of up to €4,500,000.
Kildare County Council has confirmed to the Department that a Part 8 planning application for this road was rejected by the Council in mid-2019 and has confirmed that this LIHAF project will not proceed.
My Department currently has no other funding allocated or project agreement in place with Kildare County Council to facilitate any housing-related road infrastructure in Naas. Overall responsibility for roads policy and funding is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport.
299. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which the necessary funding is being provided through the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, or otherwise in respect of infrastructural projects such as the alleviation of traffic or other issues for Celbridge, County Kildare; the full extent of the total amount of funding awarded; when the award was made; the progress to date in achieving the targets identified; the administrative or other work already completed or still awaiting completion; when it is likely that onsite works will begin given the absolute necessity for such measures as the eastern bypass route and other traffic alleviation matters given the need and urgency as now indicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56708/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is a scheme which funds the building of public infrastructure by local authorities. Its objective is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages to housing delivery. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in urban areas of high demand. LIHAF was designed to specifically address the issue of housing supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices. Infrastructure being funded under LIHAF includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.
In 2017, grant agreements for 30 approved projects were signed between my Department and local authorities. My Department has no funding allocated or project agreement in place with Kildare County Council to facilitate any housing-related road infrastructure in Celbridge. Overall responsibility for roads policy and funding is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport.
300. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department records the number of disabled persons in homelessness; and the number of disabled persons in homelessness here. [56734/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's open data portal data.gov.ie/.
My Department does not collate the data sought by the Deputy.
301. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties on derelict and vacant site registers in each local authority area. [56735/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is provided in the table below.
Local Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in their functional areas. The derelict sites returns are collected in Q2 of the following year.
The most recent data available in relation to the Vacant Sites Register is based on returns submitted to my Department further to the issuing of Circular Letter PL 03/2022 on 25 March 2022 which requested the submission of a progress report by each local authority.
|
Local Authority |
No. of Derelict Sites on Register as of 31 December 2021 |
No. of Vacant Sites on Register as of 1 Jan 2022 |
|
Carlow |
25 |
4 |
|
Cavan |
21 |
0 |
|
Clare |
39 |
13 |
|
Cork County |
67 |
13 |
|
Cork City |
95 |
16 |
|
Donegal |
18 |
4 |
|
Dublin City |
79 |
40 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
10 |
9 |
|
Fingal |
5 |
10 |
|
Galway City |
9 |
6 |
|
Galway County |
1 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
65 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
23 |
13 |
|
Kilkenny |
13 |
29 |
|
Laois |
13 |
9 |
|
Leitrim |
36 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & County |
266 |
9 |
|
Longford |
36 |
4 |
|
Louth |
4 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
253 |
0 |
|
Meath |
30 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
30 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
19 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
17 |
|
Sligo |
26 |
21 |
|
South Dublin |
13 |
10 |
|
Tipperary |
42 |
2 |
|
Waterford City & County |
33 |
16 |
|
Westmeath |
85 |
10 |
|
Wexford |
53 |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
23 |
|
Total |
1415 |
281 |
302. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to make compliant non-compliant HAP tenancies; and if it is the policy of his Department to prioritise direct building, rather than relying on HAP to alleviate the rental crisis. [56736/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these Regulations. Responsibility for enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is underpinned by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Under section 41 of the 2014 Act, local authorities are required to commence the inspection process within 8 months of HAP support being provided in relation to a particular dwelling, if the dwelling was not already inspected within the previous 12 months. Local authorities carry out HAP inspections as part of their overall private rented inspections programme.
The HAP legislation provides a very structured, time bound system where serious lack of compliance exists and can result in termination of HAP payment.
Failure to comply with the minimum standards can result in penalties and prosecution. Local authorities can issue Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices to landlords who breach the minimum standards regulations. An Improvement Notice sets out the works that the landlord must carry out to remedy a breach of the regulations.
I am committed to decreasing our reliance on the HAP scheme, and central to that is significantly scaling up our social housing supply. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes in the period 2022?2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities. This data is available until the end of Quarter 2 2022 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
303. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for Traveller-specific accommodation in Limerick. [56737/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. It is therefore a matter for the local authority concerned, in this case Limerick City and County Council, regarding the assessment and provision of accommodation for Travellers. Further information may be available from the local authority.
304. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to extend rent pressure zones in Waterford. [56738/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 introduced the Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest. The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 introduced measures in July 2021 to extend the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) until the end of 2024.
Section 24A of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 provides that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to me, as Minister, that an area should be considered as a RPZ. Following receipt of such a proposal, I, as Minister, request the Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conduct an assessment of the area to establish whether or not it meets the criteria for designation and to report to me on whether the area should be designated as a RPZ.
The criteria to be satisfied by an area under section 24A(4) of the Acts for designation as an RPZ are as follows:
- the information relating to the area, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, shows that the annual rate of increase in the average amount of rent for that area is more than 7% in each of at least 4 of the 6 quarters preceding the period immediately prior to the date of the Housing Agency's proposal, and
- the average rent for the area in the last quarter, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, is –
- in the case of counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow or a local electoral area (LEA) in any one of those counties, above the average rent in the State, excluding rents in the 4 Dublin Local Authority areas, or
- in the case of any LEA outside of the Greater Dublin Area (i.e. Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow), above the average rent in the State excluding rents in the Greater Dublin Area.
Each RTB quarterly Rent Index Report includes a table of the data used to establish whether each LEA fulfils the criteria for designation as a RPZ.
There are 6 LEAs in Waterford, two of which Waterford City South and Waterford City East, were designated as RPZs on 2nd July 2019.
The Housing Agency and the RTB will continue to monitor national rents and if any further LEAs in county Waterford meets the designation criteria they will be designated as a RPZ.
305. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the uptake of the croí cónaithe scheme nationally and in each county. [56739/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.
Schemes under the Fund, which are delivered by local authorities, provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties and by providing serviced sites in towns and villages to people in order to build their own homes.
In July, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages but I am pleased to say that as of the 15 November, the expanded grant also includes eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July). gov.ie/en/press-release/969fb-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-expanded-to-cities-and-remote-rural-areas/
A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
In September, I launched the Ready to Build Scheme, also funded by the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
When the Fund was launched, I committed to ongoing reviews of the schemes under it. Feedback on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Scheme has been very positive, with 419 applications reported to date. In order for applications to be assessed and a decision made, specified supporting documentation must be submitted with the application and a site visit carried out by the local authority to asses the works being applied for. In some cases this may involve the local authority reverting to the applicant for additional information. It is intended that in future data on the scheme will be published on the Department's website on a regular basis.
|
Local Authority |
Applications Received for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant |
Approved |
|
Carlow |
4 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
12 |
0 |
|
Clare |
18 |
1 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
0 |
|
Cork county |
50 |
10 |
|
Donegal |
25 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
0 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
0 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
6 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
27 |
7 |
|
Kerry |
36 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
11 |
4 |
|
Kilkenny |
12 |
0 |
|
Laois |
7 |
2 |
|
Leitrim |
7 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
23 |
9 |
|
Longford |
2 |
0 |
|
Louth |
14 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
27 |
8 |
|
Meath |
2 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
15 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
17 |
2 |
|
Roscommon |
19 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
13 |
8 |
|
South Dublin |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
30 |
2 |
|
Waterford |
9 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
11 |
2 |
|
Wexford |
14 |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
3 |
|
Totals |
419 |
66 |
The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme is a fund to support the building of apartments for sale to owner-occupiers. Rising apartment construction costs have generated a “Viability Gap” between the cost of building apartments and the market sale price, a gap which the scheme was created, and is designed to, bridge. It will kick-start apartment developments that might not otherwise be developed.
The scheme is a key initiative of Pathway 3 of Housing for All, focused on increasing new housing supply and making additional choices available to home buyers in our urban cores.
Croí Cónaithe Cities will help to tackle climate change, reduce vacancy and dereliction and help to meet the strong demand for urban living.
In May 2022, Expressions of Interest (EoI) were invited by the Housing Agency from proposers with planning permission to build apartment developments in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.
On receipt of applications in June, the Housing Agency has been actively undertaking the various appraisal stages (3) which deal with the i) eligibility of proposals ii) ranking of suitable proposals and iii) a detailed due diligence process leading to eligibility (the current stage of progress).
Alongside this, the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) scheme is currently subject of an application in respect of State Aid to the EU’s Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) with a decision due shortly.
Until that live process has concluded, and due to the on-going commercial sensitivity surrounding the live assessment process, it is not possible to comment any further on specific details until such a time the process has concluded.
306. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the role of local authorities in the provision of emergency accommodation for persons presenting as homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56740/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities. My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. It is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum, in the first instance, to determine the services and the funding required to address homelessness in each region. Each region submits an annual expenditure programme to my Department and my Department approves a funding allocation. The management of the funding allocation is delegated to the lead authority in each region and is governed by a protocol between my Department and the lead authority. This protocol sets out the funding arrangements and structures to ensure adherence with statutory requirements and public financial procedures.
All regional authorities are obliged to ensure compliance with the Protocol and to ensure that accounting policies are in accordance with the regulatory accounting framework in place. These are subject to oversight and scrutiny at various levels, including by the Local Government Audit Service in their annual audit.
307. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the provision of home heating for local authority housing in cases in which a council house has been made available and the closure of its fireplace has taken place; and the position where gas is unavailable, in particular. [56741/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, local authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of their housing stock including carrying out pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out responsive repairs. Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.
Separate to the local authorities' legal obligation to manage and maintain their own housing stock, my Department provides annual funding support for the implementation of a national Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme (EERP).
In this regard, the Programme for Government contains a commitment, led by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, to ensure that 500,000 homes are retrofitted to a B2/Cost Optimal energy performance by 2030. In response to this commitment, my Department has undertaken the delivery of 36,500 retrofits by the local authority sector through the newly revised ten year (EERP) for local authority owned housing, launched in 2021. This extensive programme focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided, namely a heat pump.
The selection of dwellings for inclusion in the EERP, and the retrofitting measures to be implemented in each home, is a matter for each individual local authority in their administration of the programme.
308. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has reopened diplomatic relations with the Government of Venezuela, led by Nicholás Maduro, or if it is still the position of his Department to recognise Juan Guaidó as the President of Venezuela. [56219/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe situation in Venezuela remains complex and deeply concerning. Political repression continues, and the humanitarian and human rights situations in the country are still of serious concern. Ireland and the EU have continued to call for the release of all political prisoners, for the independence of political parties, for freedom of expression to be respected, and for an end to human rights abuses. The EU reiterated this call in its statement before the most recent Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Ireland's, and the EU's, priority with regard to Venezuela continues to be to encourage all parties to re-engage with the political dialogue mechanism that has been established in Mexico in order to find a Venezuelan-led solution to the crisis, and to pave the way for free and fair elections to take place in 2024.
Ireland's policy with regard to recognition is that we recognise States, rather than Governments. Ireland's position in relation to Venezuela reflects this policy, and also aligns fully with the position of the EU as detailed in the Council Conclusions of January 2021 ( available at: st05582-en21.pdf (europa.eu) ). As set out in those Council Conclusions, Mr. Juan Guaidó, as well as other representatives of the democratic opposition, are considered to be important actors and privileged interlocutors in the Venezuelan context.
With regard to diplomatic relations, Ireland has never broken off diplomatic relations with Venezuela. The EU has also maintained, and continues to maintain, diplomatic relations with Venezuela, though since 2021 these relations have been at the level of Chargé d’Affaires.
309. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth certificate will issue for a person (details supplied) who applied in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56354/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. In 2015, prior to Brexit, a total of 6,000 entries were made to the register. In 2019, a peak number of 19,000 entries were made to the Foreign Births Register.
The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen to date in 2022.
My Department has put in place a number of measures that will address the volume of FBR applications currently on hand with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these citizenship applications by the end of this year.
With regard to the application to which the Deputy has referred, the applicant was contacted by a member of the FBR team on 11 October 2022, requesting the further submission of supporting documents. Until this outstanding documentation is submitted, the application cannot be progressed further.
